Iowa, Michigan get big wins

Iowa upended Wisconsin 68-60 in overtime today in the Kohl Center and Michigan rallied in the second half to defeat Purdue 64-63 in Ann Arbor on the final Sunday of the regular season for the BIg Ten.

With the win, the Hawkeyes (17-12, 10-8) tied the Badgers (20-9, 10-8) for third place in the final regular-season standings. But Iowa swept the two games this season and will go into the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 3 seed.

Iowa jumped to a 33-31 lead with a 14-0 run to end the first half and then had to hold on for dear life in the second. Anya Covington tied the game at 56-56 with 14 seconds left in regulation. The Hawkeyes, however, dominated the overtime 12-4. Kamille Wahlin led Iowa with 20 points and Kachine Alexander had 19.

Michigan (16-13, 8-10) trailed by 11 at the half but managed to ruin any chance the Boilermakers (14-15, 9-9) had to move up in the seeding. Veronica Hicks led the Wolverines with 17 points. Jodie Howell had 21 points on seven three-pointers for Purdue, which now is in fifth place and watching to see what Penn State (16-11, 8-9) does at Indiana (13-15, 6-11). I don't think the outcome will keep the Boilers from the No. 5 seed and the first-day bye.

In the other early game, Michigan State wrapped up the No. 2 seed by crushing Minnesota 70-50 in the Breslin Center. The Spartans (21-8, 12-6) had no trouble with the last-place Gophers (13-16, 6-12). Allyssa DeHaan led MSU to its sixth consecutive win with 13 points..

Illinois escaped a share of last place with a 58-48 win at Northwestern. The Illini (15-13, 7-11) and Wildcats (16-13, 7-11) look to be headed for a tie for eighth place with Indiana, which is killing Penn State at the half.

I'm thinking based on head-to-head competition that Northwestern will wind up with the No. 10 seed in the tournament.

Indiana just defeated Penn State 77-68 to break a five-game losing streak. I think the Hoosiers are the No. 8 seed and Illinois is No. 9. None of my musing, of course, matters until I see the official bracket from the Big Ten headquarters later this afternoon.

Jamie Braun led Indiana (13-14, 7-11) with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Bentley had 17 points for the Lions (16-12, 8-10), who have lost 8 of the past 9 games.